If you want better Connectivity options
Choose Meze Audio Strada. It scores 4.8 vs 2.7 for Connectivity options, with a 4.4 overall score.
Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the 105 Silva for beautiful, repairable construction, superb comfort, easy driveability, and an engaging spacious sound. Skip it if you need isolation, balanced connectivity, heavy sub-bass, or consistently smooth treble.
Best for
Best for home listeners who value premium craftsmanship, all-day comfort, easy driveability, repairability, and a lively natural presentation with excellent separation.
Not for
Not ideal for commuters, shared quiet spaces, bass-heads seeking deep slam, strict-neutrality listeners, or treble-sensitive buyers who do not want to use EQ.
Verdict
The Meze Audio 105 Silva earns unusually broad praise for its walnut-accented design, precise construction, self-adjusting comfort, replaceable parts, and easy pairing with modest sources. Most reviewers also admire its controlled, textured bass, vivid mids, strong separation, and engaging imaging. The tuning is not universally safe: sub-bass can feel restrained, upper mids or treble may sound sharp or sizzly, and the stage ranges from expansive to surprisingly intimate depending on the listener and recording. Its open-back design also limits isolation and travel use, while recessed cable sockets and the lack of a balanced stock cable frustrate some buyers. Even so, the full ownership package—case, USB-C DAC, repairability, craftsmanship, and long-session comfort—makes it a compelling $499 headphone for musical enjoyment rather than strict neutrality.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
47 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.033 (70%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.412 (26%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.42 (4%)
Pros
-
The walnut-trimmed, mid-century-inspired design is the strongest consensus point. Reviewers repeatedly called it elegant, distinctive, modern-vintage, and among the best-looking headphones in its class.
-
Separation is one of the clearest strengths: vocals, instruments, and background textures remain easy to follow even in busy passages. Stereo movement and positioning stay coherent without sounding artificially pulled apart.
-
Construction is consistently described as outstanding, with precise assembly, premium materials, and unusually refined detailing. The chassis feels robust and cohesive rather than mass-market or disposable.
-
Walnut accents, metal structure, clean assembly, and refined touchpoints make the headphone feel genuinely luxurious. Even critical reviewers agreed the physical experience matches a high-end product.
-
Comfort is a standout strength, with plush pads, effective weight distribution, and a self-adjusting suspension strap. Most reviewers could wear it for hours, though very large ears or unusually small heads may encounter fit issues.
-
The contoured hard or semi-hard case receives universal praise for sturdiness, fit, and useful accessory storage. It provides reassuring protection for travel or home storage.
Cons
-
The wired 3.5 mm and USB-C paths cover common sources, but the stock package lacks balanced 4.4 mm or XLR connectivity. Reviewers repeatedly wished for a balanced cable option.
-
Isolation is minimal, as expected from an open-back headphone, though the rear damping provides a small amount of attenuation. It remains best suited to quiet rooms rather than noisy public spaces.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in Carry case quality, Sustainability and repairability, Included accessories, near average in Overall recommendation, Sound quality, below average in Connectivity options, Noise isolation (passive).
Comparison summary
47 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher35 (74%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts10 (21%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower2 (4%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity options | 2.7 | 4.4 | -1.7 |
| Carry case quality | 5.0 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| Sustainability and repairability | 5.0 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| Included accessories | 4.9 | 3.6 | +1.3 |
| Replaceable pads/headband | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Premium feel | 5.0 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
| Durability over time | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
| 3.5mm analog input availability | 5.0 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Overall satisfaction
Choose Sendy Audio Apollo Pro. It scores 5.0 vs 4.6 for Overall satisfaction, with a 4.4 overall score.
If you want better Soundstage width
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000. It scores 4.6 vs 4.2 for Soundstage width, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Travel friendliness
Choose Marshall Milton A.N.C.. It scores 4.8 vs 3.5 for Travel friendliness, with a 4.3 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
109 Pro
- More expensive: performance and value The Silva delivers most of the 109 Pro's performance at a substantially lower price.
- Similar: soundstage and imaging The Silva approaches the 109 Pro's three-dimensional staging and imaging.
- Better: overall sound quality The Silva is less refined than the 109 Pro but occupies a lower price tier.
105 AER
- Compared: bass balance The Silva trades some of the AER's warmth for tighter, cleaner bass.
- Worse: treble extension The Silva has more extended, brilliant treble than the 105 AER.
AR5000
- Better: competitive gaming The AR5000 is the stronger stock choice for competitive FPS cues, while the Silva is more immersive.
FAQ
What does the Meze 105 Silva sound like?
It has an engaging, slightly colored presentation with controlled bass, vivid mids, airy treble, and strong separation. It favors musical involvement over strict neutrality.
Is the Meze 105 Silva comfortable for long sessions?
Yes. The self-adjusting headband, plush velour pads, and effective weight distribution earned near-universal praise, though very large ears or small heads may need to check fit.
Does it need a powerful headphone amplifier?
No. It reaches ample volume from phones, laptops, and dongles, but better DACs and amplifiers can improve articulation, bass depth, and staging.
Is the bass strong enough for bass-heavy music?
Bass is usually described as punchy, textured, and controlled, but sub-bass weight is not a consensus strength. Listeners seeking heavy rumble or maximum slam may find it restrained.
Is it good for gaming?
Yes, especially for immersive gaming, thanks to precise direction, distance rendering, and clear separation. Competitive FPS players may prefer EQ or a more narrowly focused stock tuning.
Can it be used for commuting or shared spaces?
It is not ideal. The open-back design provides little isolation and leaks sound, even though leakage is somewhat lower than expected and the case is travel-ready.
What comes in the box?
The package commonly includes a fitted protective case, detachable cable, adapter pouch, 6.35 mm adapter, and a USB-C DAC dongle for phones and laptops.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.8
Article Reviews
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.7
Top Over-Ear Headphones to Consider
Choose it if your workday revolves around calls and you want exceptional mic isolation, huge battery life, all-day comfort, and a slim travel-friendly design. Skip it if music fidelity, class-leading...
Pros: Frequency response accuracy, Clamping force comfort
Cons: Volume output, aptX
Best for spacious, detailed home listening, excellent comfort, and premium construction. Skip it for commuting, private shared-space use, built-in voice chat, or subwoofer-like bass impact.
Pros: Overall satisfaction, Glasses and hat compatibility
Cons: Travel friendliness, Sound leakage
Choose the Strada for premium build, long-session comfort, strong isolation and an unusually spacious closed-back presentation. Skip it if you have a small head, dislike energetic treble, or want consistently...
Pros: Hinge durability, Durability over time
Cons: Ear cup swivel/rotation range, Portability/foldability
Best for huge open-back bass, spacious imaging, and featherweight comfort with a serious amplifier. Skip it if $3,499, proprietary cables, or headband hotspots outweigh its rare bass-and-space combination.
Pros: Instrument separation, Weight comfort
Cons: Travel friendliness, Sound leakage